Adjustable tail gate lift assembly



' March 25, 1952 wlNKLER ADJUSTABLE TAIL GATE LIFT ASSEMBLY 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28. 1950 w T. I

Hanna 15f WJJVKZEF,

March 25, 1952 H. E. WlNKLER 2,590,591

ADJUSTABLE TAIL GATE LIFT ASSEMBLY Filed March 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2IN V EN TOR.

HmMAN E. [MW/(127?,

March 25, 1952 H. E. WINKLER 2,590,591

ADJUSTABLE TAIL GATE LIFT ASSEMBLY Filed March 28, 1950 5 Sheets-SheetI5 7 55 a r a? V////////// l I N V EN TOR.

HEFMAA/E MAI/{L577 Patented Mar. 25, 1952 ADJUSTABLE TAIL GATE LIFTASSEMBLY Herman E. Winkler, Lebanon, Ind., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to U. S. Machine Corporation, Lebanon, Ind., acorporation of Indiana Application. March 28, 1950, Serial No. "152,329

14 Claims.

1 The present invention relates to an adjustable tail-gate liftassembly; and finds its primary util- :ity when mounted upon a truck orother motor vehicle to act as an elevator for transporting goods ineither direction between the vehicle bed or floor and the ground, orsuch other surface, below the level of the vehicle bed, to or from whicharticles may'require transportation. While the device of the presentinvention is primarily useful in that environment, and has beenillustrated and will be described therein, it will be apparent that thelift assembly which comprises the present invention may be installed onany type of foundation, there to perform a similar function. In theenvironment in which the invention is herein described, the adjustableplatform-performs the dual function of supporting loads duringtransportation, and of closing a loading port of-the vehicle body, attimes; but it will be apparent that, in some installations, the latterfunction becomes unimportant.

.The'primary object of the invention is to providea liftassemblykitcomprising parts which, when assembled, may beinstalledin any one of awide variety of locations, certain of the parts being adjustable so thatthetransverse dimension of .theinstalled assembly may be adapted to thespecific location in which the lift is to .be used. More specifically, Ihave provided a kit which may be assembled. selectively with trucks ofvarying flooror body widths, within a predetermined range; the kitincluding a-pair-of control towers to .be independently mounted upon thevehicle bed, a slide element for each control tower,

adapted to bemounted in such towers and therein to be guided formovement, a load-supporting platform, .adjustableas to itstransversedimension to conform to any selected spacing'betweenthetowers, within agiven range, and adapted to be supported upon the twoslide elements, and halyard means including sheave means,,supportedabove .the uppermost position of the platform, and preferably .upon thetowers, the halyard means being connected to the platform, passing overthe sheave means, and being controlled .by suitable means to act uponthe platform .to shift the .slidemeans in their guides provided bythetowers.

Further objectsof the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

'Io'the accomplishment of the above and related objects, myinventionmaybe embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawifrgsattontion'being called to the fact-however, thatthe drawingsare illustrativeonly,and that ;2 change may bemadein the specificconstruction illustrated and described, so long as the .scope of theappended claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lift assembly constructedin.accordancewith my invention, and shown in association with .a vehicle bodysuggested-in dotted lines;

Fig. .2 is a fragmental perspective view from .beneath one end of theassembly;

.Fig. '3 is an inverted perspective view of one section of a sectionalplatform comprising an element of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the othersection of such a platform, thesection of Fig. '3 ibeingfragmentarily suggested in assembled relationwith said other. section Fig. .5 is anenlarged end elevation of afragment of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 1, and looking from theleft-hand end of Fig. 'l;

v.F'ig. Sis a fragmentary bottom plan showing the cable anchorage means;and

Fig. 7 is a broken sectional View taken substantially on the line I, Iof Fig. 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,it will be seen that I haveillustrated a pair of towers ill'and H. Since the two towers areidentical-in construction, only one will be describedin detail. Eachsuch tower comprises a base plate i2 adapted to be secured to the topsurface of the floor ;or bed I3, of a'vehicle; and it will be clearlyapparent from a consideration of the drawings, that the 'two'towers areentirely independentof each other and'may be secured to the bed i3in anyselectedrelation of lateral separation. Preferably, each tower will besecured to .the vehicle bed at'a point closely adjacent one lateral edgethereof; and it will be noted that the base plate 1.2 of each towerhasan extension ['4 which projects outwardlybeyond the edge of thevehicle bed for a reason which will later become apparent.

Each tower J0 and H, provides, within itself, a guideway which, in'thepreferred embodiment of the invention, willbe inclined slightly from thevertical. The details of the guide means are unimportant to the presentinvention; and any conventional means for slidably mounting a. slideelement maybe adoptedfor such-use. A rod .l..5.is freely slidablymountedin the guide means .of the tower l0; and a sheave orpulley I6 ismounted upon a fixed axis in the tower, a cable i! or other suitablehalyard meanspassing over said sheave and leading to winch means (notshown). A similar slide rod I 8 is similarly mounted inqtne tower I i,and halyard means 19 passes over a similar sheave in the tower l l andthence extends to the winch means.

Near its lower end, each slide rod is transversely flattened as at 20(Fig. and is provided with a foot 2! projecting substantiallyhorizontally away from the associated tower. A pivot pin 22 preferablytraverses the flattened section of each slide rod for the purpose ofpivotally mounting upon the slide rods a loadsupporting platformindicated generally by the reference numeral 23.

In order that the towers l4 and it may be mounted selectively at variousdistances from each other, to accommodate the lift kit to various sizesof trunks, the platform 23 must, of course, be adjustable in transversedimension; and to that end, I make the platform in two relativelymovable sections 24 and 25, the details of which are clearly illustratedin Figs. 3 and 4.

At its outer, forward corner, the section 24 is formed to provide twospaced walls 26 and 2'! defining a slot 28, opening through the top andbottom surfaces, and through the forward edge, of said section. At itscorresponding corner, the section is formed to provide spaced walls 29and 35.1 defining a similar slot 3|. The slots 28 and 31 arerespectively designed to receive the flattened portions 20 of the sliderods l5 and I8, the pivot pins 22 being seated in suitable perforationsin said walls 25, 21, 29 and 30, whereby the platform 23 is pivotallyconnected to the lower ends of the rods 15 and I8, upon a common axis.

. The section 24 comprises a quadrilateral load supporting panel 32whose rear edge is preferably channeled by turning a section 33 thereofdownwardly and turning a section 34 thereof forwardly, as clearlyillustrated in Fig. 4. The forward edge of the panel 32 is defined by asimple flange 35 turned downwardly from the plane of said panel. Theouter end of the panel is defined by flange means 36 which maypreferably be a separate channel element welded in place as shown; butwhich may be formed, if desired, by suitably turning a terminal sectionof the panel 32. I

The fourth side 39 of the panel is left open, as shown.

. A tubular spine element 3'1, which may be a channel welded to theunder surface of the panel 32, extends from the flange 35 toward theopen end 39 of the section 24, lying parallel to the flanges 33 and 35and preferably being medially located therebetween. The open mouth 38 ofthe spine element 3'! is located a substantial dis.- tance short of theopen end 39 of the section 24. Bracing members or ribs 40 and 4| extendbetween the spine 3? and the flanges 35 and 33, respectively, at a pointnear the mouth 38 of the spine element, but spaced somewhat therefrom inthe direction of the flange 35.

The section 25 comprises a quadrilateral loadsupporting panel 42 whoserear edge is channeled asat 43, 44 to fit snugly within the channelededge 33, 54 of the section 24. The forward edge of the panel 42 isflanged as at 45, the arrangement being such that, when the section 25is assembled with the section 24, the flange 45 will slidably engage theinner surface of the flange 35. One end of the panel 42 is defined by achanneled flange 45 similar to the flange 35; and a spine element 41,lying parallel to the edges 43 and 45, extends from the flange 45 tion25; said spine element 41 having a substantial projection 48 beyond saidopen end 49 of the panel. The spine element 41, or at least itsprojection 48, is proportioned and designed to fit snugly Within thetubular spine element 37 of the section 24. Bracing ribs 50 and 51extend from the spine element 47 respectively to the flanges 45 and 43.

The open edge 49 of the panel 42 is formed with a notch 52 proportionedand designed to receive that portion of the spine element 37 whichprojects beyond the ribs 49 and 4| toward the end 39 of the section 24;and the longitudinal depth of the notch 52 will preferably besubstantially equal to the degree of projection of the spine element 37beyond said ribs 44 and 45. The ribs 50 and 5! will preferably belocated substantially at the base of the notch 52.

i It will be seen that the two sections 24 and 25 may be telescopicallyassociated by entering the extremity of the projection 48 of the spineelement 47 in the open mouth 38 of the spine .element 31, concurrentlyentering the channeled flange 43, 44 in the channel flange 33, 34,whereupon the flange 45 will slidably engage the flange 35. The twosections can be telescopically collapsed to a point at which the end 49of the panel 42 will engage the ribs 40 and 4|, the extremity of theelement 31 entering the notch 52. Primarly because of the projection 48,the sections may be expanded until the ends 49 and 39 of the twosections are almost in registry, Without destroying the stiffness of theassembly.

In installing a kit constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, the two towers l0 and i i will be fixed to the foundation I3at a selected degree of lateral spacing. The slide rods I5 and 58 willbe assembled in their guideways in the respective towers, and then theplatform 23 will be mounted upon said slide rods through the medium ofthe pins 22, the sections 24 and 25 being relatively adjusted to bringtheir slots 28 and 3| into accurate registry with the flattened portions24 of the respective slide rods. After such adjustment, and eitherbefore or after actual assembly of the sections with the slide rods,suitable perforations may be drilled in the flanges 33, 34, 43, 44 and35 and 45, to receive bolts or rivets for securin the sections inadjusted positions. Alternatively, the flanges may be welded in placeafter adjustment; but I presently prefer to use removable bolts so that,if desired, the entire assembly may be removed from one truck andapplied to another of different dimensions at some future date.

As has been stated, the cables H and I9 will be suitabl anchored on theopposite ends of the platform 23; and I have illustrated, and will nowdescribe, a preferred form of anchorage means for said cables. Such apreferred form is indicated generally by the reference numeral 53, andidentical devices will be used at opposite ends of the platform 23.

The flange 45, for instance, is provided with suitable alignedperforations 54 and 55 in which is received a tubular element 55preferably provided with an integral esoutcheon plate 51 which may besecured to the outer surface of the flange 45 by an suitable means suchas the illustrated screws. At its outer end, the tubular element isformed to provide an outwardly open, peripheral channel 58 whichcommunicates, through a substantially radial port 59, with the interior60 of said element 56.

At its opposite end, the element 55 is interiorly threaded as at GI forthe adjustable reception of a bolt 62 having an axial passage 63extending completely therethrough; said bolt preferably being providedwith a manipulating head 64 at its outer end. A portion 65 of the cablei9 is seated in the channel 58, while a portion 66 thereof is threadedthrough the port 59 into and through the interior 69 of the elementbfiand through and beyond the bore 63 of the bolt 62. The projectingterminal portion 51 of the cable i9 is rebent upon itself, as is mostclearly shown in Fig. 6, and clamping means 68 is applied to the rebentportion of the cable to hold sections thereof in abutting relation.Thus, an abutment, engaging the bolt head 64, is provided on the cableto prevent movement of the cable relative to the bolt in a directiontoward the outer end of the element 55. It will be clear that threadedadustment of the bolt 62 toward the left asviewed in Fig. 7 will pullthe cable it, thus shortening the distance between the sheave in thetower II and the anchorage point on the platform 23; while adjustment ofthat bolt toward the right as viewed in Fig. '7 will relax the cable toincrease that distance.

When, the parts are in the relative positions illustrative in Fig. 1, itwill be seen that the cables l1 and 19, act upon the platform 23 tosustain the lift assembly in the illustrated intermediate positionbetween the ground level and the level of the vehicle ,bed I3. If thewinch (not shown) is actuated to pay out the cables I"! and i9, theentire assembly will descend until the feet 2i, which lie in a commonhorizontal plane and upon the upper surfaces of which the platform 23rests during such operation, reach the ground.

When the winch is operated to wind in the cables I! and [9, the entireassembly will move upwardly in a direction determined by the guide meanswithin the towers IE and H acting upon the slide rods l5 and is, untilspurs 69, located upon the heels of the slide rods and 48 (see Figs. 1and 5) come into engagement with the projections M of the base platesl2. The parts are so proportioned and designed that, at this instant,the load-supporting panels 24 and 25 will be disposed substantially inthe plane of the vehicle floor l3.

-If the winch. continues to operate to wind in the cables Hand I9, theplatform 23 will begin to rotate, in a clockwise direction as viewedfrom the right-hand end of Fig. 1, and, through such winding action, theplatform 23 may be drawn into a substantially vertical position, inwhich it will close tightly against the towers l0 and i l (and/oragainst the rear ends of the vehicle body walls) to act as a tailgate.To facilitate this function, the axes of the sheaves 26 must be located,above the base plates l2, a distance greater than the distance from thepivot pins 22 to the cable anchorage 53.

I claim as my invention:

1. A load-lifting kit comprising a pair of towers, means for securingsaid towers independently to a selected foundation in laterally-spacedrelation at a selected distance from each other, each tower providingguide means, a slide element for each tower freely reciprocably mountedin the guide means of its tower, said slide elements being guided forreciprocation along parallel, generally vertical paths, a platformcomprising a plurality of joined sections relatively adjustable in thedirection of spacing between said towers and having a range ofadjustment ments and projecting therefrom, at times, away from saidtowers, halyard means operatively connected to said platform adjacenteach of said pivotal connections but spaced from said towers K beyondsaid pivotal connections, and means for controlling said halyard tocontrol reciprocation of said slide means and the adjusted position ofsaid platform about said pivotal connections relative to said towers.

2. The kit of claim 1 including cooperating means on said towers and onsaid slide elements for limiting upward movement of said slide elements,and sheave means for said halyard means supported above saidmovcment-iimiting means.

the distance between said sheave means and the movement-limiting meanson said towers exceeding the distance between the points of connectionof saidhalyard means to said platform and said pivotal connections.

3. The kit of claim 2 in which said sheave means includes a sheaveelement supported upon each of said towers.

i. The kit of claim 2 in which said foundation is a vehicle floor or bedand in which the means on each tower cooperating with means on itsassociated slide to limit slide movement is a plate adapted to besecured to such a vehicle floor to project, toward said platform, beyondan edge of said floor or bed.

5. The kit of claim 4 in which each such plate is a base plate for itstower and is located in the plane of said floor or bed.

6. The kit of claim 1 in which each of said pivotal connectionscomprises laterally spaced walls on a platform section defining a slotopening through top and bottom walls and through an edge wall of suchsection, the lower end portion of each slide element being received inone of such slots and between the spaced walls thereof, and hinge pinmeans projecting from each slide element and seated in sockets in theassociated walls.

7. The kit of claim 1 in which said halyard means comprises a cablesection. for each end of said platform and means for securing each cablesection to its platform end comprising a tubular element fixed to aplatform section and formed to provide a peripheral channel opening atone end into the interior of said tubular element, and a tubular boltadjustably threadedly mounted in said tubular element, such cablesection having a portion seated in said channel, and a portion threadedfrom said channel through said tubular element and said tubular bolt,said cable section having abutment means, beyond that end of said boltremote from said channel, engageable by said bolt end to exert a tensilestress on said cable section.

8. A sectional lift platform comprising a section formed to provide aforwardly-opening channeled rear edge, a flanged front edge, aloadsupporting panel spanning said edges, a tubular spine parallelingsaid front and rear edges, disposed therebetween, and open at one end,and a reinforcing rib joining said spine withsaid front i tubular spineof said first-named section.

9. A sectional lift platform comprising a section providing aquadrilateral load-supporting panel and flange means associated withsaid panel and defining three sides thereof, a tubularspine parallelwith two of said sides, fixed to said panel and extending from the thirdof said sides toward the fourth side of said panel, and a second sectionproviding a quadrilateral load-supporting panel and flange meansassociated therewith and defining three sides thereof, a spine parallelwith two of said sides of said second section, fiXed to said panel ofsaid second section and extending from the third of said sides of saidsecond section beyond the fourth side of said second section, said spineof said second section being proportioned and designed for telescopicassociation with said spine of said first section, and said two sides ofsaid first section and said two sides of said second section beingproportioned and designedfor telescopic association with each other.

10. The platform of claim 9 in which the spine of said first-namedsection terminates short of said fourth side of said first section.

'11. The platform of claim 10 in which the fourth side of the panel ofsaid second section is provided with an open notch registrable with, andpositioned to receive, the adjacent end of the spine of said firstsection when said sections are telescopically associated.

12. The platform of claim 10 including brac ing means secured to thepanel of said first section and extending from each of said two sidesinto engagement with said first section spine at points nearer to saidthird side than is the re- I mote end of said spine.

13. The platform of claim 12 in which the fourth side of the panel ofsaid second section is provided with an open notch registrable with, andpositioned to receive, the adjacent end of the spine of said firstsection when said sections are telescopically associated, the depth ofsaid notch, in the direction of length of said spine, being at leastequal to the distance from said bracing means to said remote end of saidspine.

14. The platform of claim 13 including bracing means secured to thepanel of said second section and extending from each of said two sidesthereof into engagement with said second-section, spine, saidlast-mentioned bracing means being spaced from said fourth side of saidsecond section a distance substantially equal to the depth of saidnotch.

HERMAN E. WINKLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

